Why buy a more expensive model bike that the lower end tri-specific bikes (Felt S32 and Cervelo Duel), if they fit you? I’m always going to be a MOPer (well, a top 1/3rd MOPer), and have no delusions of grandeur. I’ve been looking for a tri-bike for a while now, and while the ~$2500 bikes look pretty and have some cool bling, I’m failing to see what they have over the S32 and Duel. The most important factor is fit and position, right? And wheels and other things can always be added later.
So what do the higher end models have (other than looking damn cool) over the bottom line bikes? Do carbon rear stays make the bike that much better? Internal cable routing? If I can get into a good aero position on a S32, why buy the S22 or B2?
Weight, bling factor, quality of componants, bling factor, aeroness of frame, bling factor, quality of ride, bling factor.
Different bikes will ride differently, high end bikese can be lighter, and most will come with better components. That being said, if you have no intrest in having a ‘cool’ bike, and you are not looking to buy speed (however much a fancy bike can provide) than you can 't go real wrong with a nice Felt S32.
I think the real question is, are you a beige Toyota Camry kind of guy, or a red Audi A4 kind of guy?
The single most important determining factor in the performance of your bike is how it fits you. That is the greatest opportunity to optimize power output, aerodynamics and handling. No greater opportunity to get it right exists than fit.
If you buy into that philosophy (and I do hook, line and sinker) then you are better off on a correctly fitted Cervelo Dual or Felt S32 than you are on a slightly ill fitting Cervelo P3C or Felt DA that doesn’t quite fit.
The differences in performance of a bike - the bike itself, fit notwithstanding- tend to drop off very rapidly north of $2000. Between $1500 and $2000 I would suggest there is a significant price/value/performance convergence. When you go above $2000 you have started to enter an area of diminishing returns that escalates rapidly as price goes up.
Is a $5000 bike twice as good as a $1600 bike. No. No way. It isn’t half the weight, twice as fast, twice as durable. You reach a point of diminishing return north of $2000.
Weight, bling factor, quality of componants, bling factor, aeroness of frame, bling factor, quality of ride, bling factor.
Different bikes will ride differently, high end bikese can be lighter, and most will come with better components. That being said, if you have no intrest in having a ‘cool’ bike, and you are not looking to buy speed (however much a fancy bike can provide) than you can 't go real wrong with a nice Felt S32.
I think the real question is, are you a beige Toyota Camry kind of guy, or a red Audi A4 kind of guy?
well, I’ve been married for 10 years, so my ego shrivelled up and turned to dust years ago. So I race triathlons and motorcycles to make up for it.
So I guess the next question is, saying that both bikes fit you well, which is a better deal? The Dual or S32? I’d like to get some compact cranks since its pretty hilly where I live.
Your point is completely valid and your observations are totally correct. But stop being so practical. You are going to be dead for a long time so you might as well treat yourself right. MOP or not, you need to decide what it’s worth to you. Does the thought of your bike make you want to ride or do you look at your bike and yawn? Your bike is part tool and part toy. Toys with sizzle get played with.
I am too old to ride aluminum. In saying that I acknowledge that Cervélo claims to produce a “un-aluminum” ride quality and I have no knowledge in that area.
“Why buy a more expensive model bike?”
It’s funny, I have been asking myself the same question regarding my $700 Trek 1000 as I approach my first IM. It really all is very relative.
I think between those two it is all about personal preference. the S32 is about $300 cheaper than the Dual so you can get a new saddle, or hydration system, etc. to make the bike more complete. it is certainly a tough call
Agreed, and if you are going to spend almost $2,000 on a bike that you only kinda want, why not spend $3,000 and get the one that really want. afterall, how often do you buy a new bike.
Also my favorite, average the cost of the bike into the number of hours that your butt will be planted on it and it gets real easy to justify another couple of bucks.
Is a $5000 bike twice as good as a $1600 bike. No. No way. It isn’t half the weight, twice as fast, twice as durable. You reach a point of diminishing return north of $2000.
BINGO. Unless you’re riding in the top 10% of the field (maybe even less)…the worth of a p3c or similar high-end bike is suspect, IMHO. The question is does a 5k bike do anything for a guy/gal who rides a 6 or 7 hr IM bike leg that a 2K bike couldn’t do? The bling factor notwithstanding of course.
Just my 2 cents. But hey, you could say the same for a high-end car or any number of luxury items. Status and looking cool are valuable attributes.